Music School to Present Week of Events In Hartke Theatre

As part of Hartke Week, the Catholic University Symphony Orchestra will present an encore concert featuring selections the orchestra performed in the fall at Carnegie Hall's Weill Hall.

In December, the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music will present a weeklong series of music performances in Catholic University’s Hartke Theatre featuring many of the groups sponsored by the school. Each concert takes place at 7:30 p.m.

This first ever Hartke Week begins with concerts highlighting the two major instrumental ensembles on campus.

Conductor John Mitchell will lead the Wind Ensemble on Monday, Dec. 5.

On Tuesday, Dec. 6, the Catholic University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Searle, assistant professor and director of orchestral activities and conducting studies, will present an encore concert featuring selections the orchestra performed in the fall at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall. Faculty artists Sharon Christman, soprano; Jody Gatwood, violin; and Ira Gold, double bass, will be featured as soloists with the orchestra.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the music school’s voice program presents a gala performance. Arias and ensemble selections will be performed by soprano Sharon Christman, head of the voice program, and the following instructors: Fabiana Bravo, soprano; Rick Christman, tenor; In Dal Choi, baritone; Rosemarie Houghton, soprano; Kevin Strother, baritone; and Arianna Zukerman, soprano. Music school alumni Brandie Sutton, soprano, and Issachah Savage, tenor, will also perform.

JC Hayward, noon anchor for D.C.’s WUSA9 TV news, will be the mistress of ceremonies for the Dec. 7 program. “This kind of concert should be a great chance for opera fans to hear a variety of works and experience the great talents of our faculty members,” says Grayson Wagstaff, dean of the music school.

The week closes with a concert by the Great Noise Ensemble, artists in residence at the music school, on Friday, Dec. 9.

“It has been many years since some of these ensembles have performed on campus,” Wagstaff says. “It is very exciting to the artists to not only be able to perform at home, but also to be able to share the stage during this week with their colleagues in other ensembles at the music school.”